7 Grooms Share Their Biggest Regrets from Their Wedding Day

Learn from these grooms' mistakes.

By: Jen Glantz

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Advice for a Great Wedding Day

When you’re in the midst of planning your wedding, you might find yourself making endless decisions, checking off a handful of to-do lists, and doing everything you can to make sure your celebration is exactly the day you had in mind.

But even if you spend quality time thinking through every situation and having a solution for every possible problem, there might be something you end up wishing you did differently on your big day.

Take it from these grooms, who are not only sharing the number one thing they regret from their wedding day, but also what they wish they did instead.

Leaving Petty Disagreements Aside

At the time, Richard Brandenstein thought that ignoring his father on the wedding day would be the right move since they had some unresolved drama. However, that decision turned out to be quite a regret.

"I chose to ignore my dad for most of the day, only exchanging a wry handshake after the ceremony," says Brandenstein. "We made up for our petty disagreement years later, and ever since his recent death I felt the day was marred by my rash decision to ignore him for ease. I was annoyed at the time, but these disagreements only leave resentment in the future. I wish I had dealt with it before the wedding so we could enjoy the day, or simply put the issue aside in favor of making the day memorable and special."

Not Having a Destination Wedding

Ravi Davda and his wife always wanted to have a destination wedding, but as they were planning their big day, they decided against doing it. Their reason was because of their family and the stress that some of them might not want to come to a wedding abroad. But years later, Davda found himself regretting that decision.

"After I went to my cousin’s destination wedding in Jamaica, I left feeling regretful because they had a lot of family members who came and got the wedding that I wanted," says Davda. "If I was to turn back the clocks, I would definitely do more of what we wanted, rather than what we think we should do instead."

Inviting People You Don’t Really Want There

One of the most typical regrets that a lot of people feel when planning their wedding is one Martin Betch can relate to. When you’re deciding on your guest list, inviting people who you don’t actually want there might feel like the best decision. However, it can turn into something you wish you didn’t do when the wedding ends.

"Unwanted people not only cost you money but you don’t end up engaging with them," says Betch.

Not Savoring the Moment

A lot of people getting married don’t realize how quickly the wedding day flies by. For Leo Coleman, not taking the time to savor every moment of his big day is one of the biggest regrets he can’t seem to swallow.

"With so much to do and many people to see, it can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of activity and forget to just stop and enjoy the day," says Coleman. "In hindsight, I wish I had taken a few minutes here and there to simply take in the sights and sounds of our wedding day and relish that I am marrying the love of my life. While it may seem small, these moments of reflection can be some of the most cherished memories of the day. So for a groom-to-be, take some time out on your big day to soak it all in. Trust me, and you'll be glad you did."

Not Hiring a Videographer

When a couple picks out their vendors, not only do they see which ones fit in their budget but also which ones are the most essential. One vendor that Marijke Van Breda wishes he considered on his wedding day was a videographer.

"Even though photographs are wonderful, there is something truly magical about watching yourself walk down the aisle, witnessing your partner's reaction when they see you for the first time in your wedding gown, and, of course, reliving your vows, your first dance, and, of course, the wedding speeches," says Van Breda. "Hire a wedding videographer if you can afford to do so, but keep in mind the same advice we gave about choosing photographers: browse through their portfolios and only choose someone whose aesthetic you find appealing."

Check Your Watch

One easy way to make your wedding day pass quickly is to spend all of your time checking on your guests and making sure everyone is having fun. Carl Jackson says that the best piece of advice he learned as a groom is to check your watch.

"On the hour, every hour, it was time to go and spend 10 minutes with my new wife," says Jackson. "We had a beautiful wedding on a boat floating down the river Danube, and best of all I spent it with her and our guests. We got to see everyone, share laughs, and silliness and enjoy the day together."

Ignoring Your Budget

When you’re planning a wedding, it can be easy to want to have everything you ever dreamed of at the celebration. But Chris Myles says that if you don’t want to regret your wedding, you should absolutely stick to a budget.

"The 'you only have one wedding day' temptation can make it very easy to go over your budget, but if you can manage, try not to," says Myles. "Yes, you will likely only have one wedding day, but if you go over budget you might be paying for your wedding day much longer, literally! It’s a wonderful day, but don’t let it be the reason you are in debt the moment you begin married life."

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 10 Things You Should Do if Your Wedding Is 100 Days Away, These 8 Wedding Traditions Are Outdated — Here’s What You Should Do Instead, 15 Questions to Never Ask a Bride or Groom During Wedding Planning

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